Indiana State Department of Agriculture

Introduction

The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) is preparing a Feasibility Study for Food Hubs in Indiana. The purpose is to assess the needs of growers and consumers regarding the potential for regional food hubs operating as part of a statewide network to facilitate the marketing and access to specialty crops.

The Feasibility Study will include:

· A data analysis of current specialty crops raised in Indiana;

· Regional input sessions with specialty crop farmers, wholesalers, and community leaders held throughout Indiana;

· Surveys of producers, consumers, and wholesalers; and

· Ongoing meetings with an Advisory Team (consists of representatives from ISDA, Indiana Farm Bureau, Indiana Cooperative Development Center, and Purdue Extension) to review findings and develop recommendations.

The project is funded by a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant and only focuses on specialty crops. Click here for more information on Specialty Crops.

Please consider taking a quick survey. The data we gather will be helpful during the development of a food hub program in Indiana. Are you a…?

Consumer who cares about and shops regularly for locally rown specialty products? IF SO, WE NEED YOUR HELP! The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) is currently conducting a study about locally grown specialty crops, and we need your input via a short, 10-minute survey. Click here for the survey.

Producer who sells your specialty crops locally? IF SO, WE NEED YOUR HELP! The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) is currently conducting a study about locally grown specialty crops, and we need your input via a short, 10-minute survey. Click here for the survey.

Wholesaler who buys and sells local specialty crops? IF SO, WE NEED YOUR HELP! The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) is currently conducting a study about locally grown specialty crops, and we need your input via a short, 10-minute survey. Click here for the survey.

What is a specialty crop?

In general, a specialty crops are “fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture).” Eligible plants must be cultivated or managed and used by people for food, medicinal purposes, and/or aesthetic gratification to be considered specialty crops. Processed products shall consist of greater than 50% of the specialty crop by weight, exclusive of added water.

What is a Food Hub?

The National Good Food Network (NGFN) describes a food hub as “a business or organization that actively manages the aggregation, distribution, and marketing of source-identified food products primarily from local and regional producers to strengthen their ability to satisfy wholesale, retail, and institutional demand.” In other words, food hubs offer logistical support to make it easier for producers, or farmers, to get their products in front of consumers. As a result, the business structure of food hubs ties them to their producers and the success of their products, ensuring that food hubs work for a purpose and have larger goals in mind than profit margins. This business structure has been very successful in recent years due to the nation-wide increase in demand for “local food.” Food hubs enhance their satisfaction of this demand by tying the source of production to the product itself through all stages of food distribution and sales.

Project goals

Identification of existing Specialty Crop production and marketing infrastructure and potential projected capacity.

Identify current demand for regionally grown specialty crops through various market channels (retail/wholesale) and determine whether those demands are currently being addressed and met.

Develop a framework for local marketing strategies.

Disseminate information to the local public officials regarding the significant role that agriculture plays in the economy of the state today and for the potential growth and security which can come from agricultural diversification, increasing the number of farmers, adding value to raw farm products, and in the collaboration of farmers, consumers and local government.

Documentation of the investigation process to serve as a template for future expansions and development in other areas across the state.

Develop the framework to initiate regional food hubs, either virtual or physical, in targeted locations across the state, with the potential of six to eight aggregation points.

Identify state and local laws, rules and ordinances relating to food hubs and food distribution in the targeted areas.

Important Dates

Please join us at one of the regional input sessions for a guided discussion about the market for locally grown products, challenges and opportunities presented by current distribution mechanisms, and your experience growing and/or selling locally grown specialty crops. Contact Jonathan Faris (jfaris@tpma-inc.com) for additional information.

“This material is based upon work supported by the United States Department of Agriculture and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture under Award Number 12-25-B-1669.”

Disclaimer: “This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government and the State of Indiana. Neither the United States Government or State of Indiana, nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government, the State of Indiana, or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government, the State of Indiana or any agency thereof.”